Political Party Funding in Georgia

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The role of money in politics has a profound effect upon the legitimacy of elections and the quality of democracy, governance and development. All countries, including advanced democracies, struggle with political finance issues. Every country has unique circumstances that resist simple or borrowed solutions. Nevertheless, international experience suggests ways to encourage competition among political parties and to improve financial accountability within political parties with regard to their funding.

This discussion paper is intended to provide an outside perspective on Georgia’s existing laws governing political finance, with a particular focus upon financial support for political parties during the election campaign and upon requirements for accountability in financial accounting and reporting by political parties (and candidates). It is hoped that these specific recommendations for improving provisions in electoral laws related to political finance will encourage further discussions about electoral reforms in Georgia.